Friday, February 27, 2009

Ascension IslandBBC relay. 7160, 0535. English service with discussion on Formula One and yacht racing. Fair signal quality. BBC relay noted on 7160, 0520-0538. Mid-week wake up show for Africa. Music in several languages with multiple announcers in English. Weather for several African capitals. Good signal quality. (Jow Wood, TN).

Radio Wadi el-Nil. 9250, 2115-2130. Ten minutes of Arabic music to 2115. Time pips at 2130, followed by apparent station ID and newscast. Signal just a whisper over noted interference, but no fading noted. (Bruce Barker, PA).

Radio Nacional-Malabo. 6250, 0533-0545. Spanish announcement to "Radio Malabo" identification. Brief breaks of Afro-pop music to phone conversation. This station not heard everyday. 6250, *0517-0605 with abrupt sign-on with Afro-pop music to lite instrumentals and Spanish ballads. "Radio Malabo" ID and "Radio Nacional" ID. Signal very weak at sign-on but improved to a good level by 0555. 6250, 0622-0645 in Spanish. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Radio Nacional-Bata. 5005, 2245-2258.* Afro-pop music to Spanish announcements. Station sign-off with national anthem at 2255. Fair signal quality. (Brian Alexander, PA)

Radio Nacional (tentative). 5005, 0534-0547. Fair reception of high-life music and songs. A good evening for African reception, as it is not often I hear this station this well. (Ron Howard, CA).

Radio Ethiopia 9560.31v, 1800-1815. Tentative on station noting Horn of Africa music style to text in unidentified language in echo effect. Signal drifting up to 9560.36 by 1810. Signal poor in noisy conditions. (Brian Alexander, PA).

LiberiaELWA. 6070, 2240-2302.* Religious music to announcers' talk segment. Sign-off with national anthem. Signal weak under a strong Romanian signal, though in the clear after Romania's sign-off at 2257 (Brian Alexaner, PA).

3215, Radio Feon'ny Filazantsana, via Talata-Volonondry, 1628-1645, Feb 11 and 13. Malagasy religious talks and hymns by vocal and choir, 34333 Utility QRM. Off when rechecked at 1657. (Petersen). 3215, Cf. UNID in DX-Window no. 370: In the last of December 2008, I made daily recordings on 3215 between 1625 and 1710 of this station. Daily I had a very weak station with few talking and religious music. On Dec 21 the signal was best and I am quite sure this was this station ending around 1700.(Van Arnhem, Feb 10/DX Window 371)

MauritaniaRadio Mauritanie. 4845, 0740-0801. Arabic and French service for program mix. Arabic readings from the Qu'ran, followed at 0745 by news presumed by mentions of names/place names. Musical signature at 0800, followed by "As Salaam Alaykum." 4845, 0815 in Arabic and mentions of Mohammed. (Bruce Barker, PA)

NigeriaRadio Nigeria. 6090, 0352-0410. Very tentative on this station. Anguilla station not heard until after a check at 0502, so was able to hear possibly Nigeria with non-stop repitive music and mixing with station in Portuguese (probably Brazil's Rádio Bandeirantes on 6089.94). Nigeria also on low side of 6090, poor, but still nice to hear something other than Anguilla. (Ron Howard, CA).

4770, Radio Nigeria, Kaduna, *0429-0525, Feb 04. Drums, choral national anthem, prayer in English. Announcer's station ID to opening announcement. Program previews and music to 0459 drums followed by ID. Time check and news. Signal Poor to fair with some utility QRM. (D'Angelo). Also heard at 2022-2130, Feb 05 and 15, English talk and music. Station ID as, "Radio Nigeria." SINPO 35443. (Mille and Romero/DX Window 371)

SudanPresumed station as Radio Omdurman, Khartoum. 7200, 0242-0303. Arabic service for announcer's text to Qu'ran recitations. Presumed ID though too much 7205 VOA Persian service via Wertachal, Germany for anything solid. Brief items from announcer to music at 0300. Signal fair at tune-in and no sign of listed Bulgaria. (Scott Barbour, NH).

Republic of Sudan Radio. 7200, 0537-0547. Arabic text via male/female host to talk and music mix of Middle Eastern and Sub-Saharan music. Mentions of Khartoum. Dead air from 0553-0600 when a lively lady hostess came back on. (Joe Wood, TN).

Trans World Radio relay via Manzini. 4775, 0350-0415. German religious service followed by brief religious music and abrupt carrier drop at 0358. Program back at 0400 with English ID by male/female in German. Religious vocals amid very good signal quality. SINPO 43333. (Jim Evans, TN).

TunisiaRTV Tunisiene. 7275, 0510-0520. Arabic service including talk and comments, followed by dramatic operetta style vocal music accompanied by orchestra and piano. Signal very good. SINPO 44333. (Jim Evans, TN).

ZambiaRadio Christian Voice via Lusaka. 4965, 0255-0305. Vernacular programming including contemporary Christian music to announcer's text after 0300. Good signal with heavy fading and less distinct audio during talk segment. Difficult to determine language, but did not appear to be English. SINPO 34323. (Jim Evans, TN).

Radio Zambia/Radio One (presumed). 5925, 0413-0426. Call-in program in Vernacular language with high-life music between calls. Signal almost fair but troubled with being over modulated. (Ron Howard, CA).

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Thanks to our contributor Al Muick, for the update on Radio SohlGayle VH

Over the past week I have been talking to various intel people and spooks who are here on base. I have been directed to this area of Kandahar where there is a fixed frequency dipole, roughly about ½ wave at 6700 kHz along with its ATU (antenna tuning unit).

The picture does not show the antenna very well, but it is still there and in good condition. One of the photos shows the sealed container where the transmitter lies and the transmission cable is buried underground. In the foreground of this picture is a communications satellite and I do not yet know if this is part of the Radio Solh operation.

I am trying to find someone who may have keys or know who has the keys to the container so I can get a good shot of the transmitter. I will take better pictures of the antenna and ATU in the coming days for your publication use. Please bear with me as I have to work this in between setting up the internet service on base here. I’m working 14 hour days and am quite exhausted at the end of it.

I have been told that the studios, etc., have already been dismantled and removed.

All India Radio-Bangalore. 9445, 2100. Newscast to 2105 including items on US relations with politics. Engineer missed several program cues for canned spots and music, but finally was nudged awake by 2115! Knock your socks off signal but over modulated (Bruce Barker, PA).

All India Radio-Bangalore. 9690, 1427. Subcontinental music to lady announcer's English reference to Listener's Choice music program (Ron Howard, CA).

All India Radio-Bangalore. (tentative) 9870, 1359-1427. Subcontinental music and vocal tune to CRI (China) sign-on at 1400 which was stronger than AIR (Ron Howard, CA).

All India Radio-Bangalore. 11620, 2223-2230.* Featured program on music and musical artist. Station identification followed by traditional Indian music. Voice-overs of closing program routine of announcements and schedules . Moderate signal despite fading. No parallel frequencies audible. SINPO 34323 (Jim Evans, TN).

All India Radio-Chennai. 4920, 0112-0130. Vernacular language programming with presumed call-in program. Piercing flute music bits at 0127, followed by various announcers and music segments (Scott Barbour, NH).

All India Radio-Panaji (Goa). 9705, *2245-2300. Interval signal at 2244 to English station identification and opening announcement at 2245. Traditional vocal music. Station ID and newscast at 2300. Signal generally poor, though gradually improving on peaks over time. All parallel frequencies checked, but nothing heard. SINPO 23222 (Jim Evans, TN).

All India Radio-Shillong. 4970, 1507-1512. Local programming in English, switching over to New Delhi programming at 1512, which becomes // 9425. Have observed AIR always switches over to New Delhi programming at 1512, and continue such to "news at nine" until 1545. Afterwards, AIR switches to local Shillong programming until 1631 sign-off (Ron Howard, CA).

The Di-Wave receiver from UniWave Development SAS, France is expected to make its debut March 25, 2009 at the DRM General Assembly in Germany. This is a SW/MW/LW/FM radio with DRM (Digital Radio Mondiale) on SW, MW and LW. More information on this page. It will also be the first consumer DRM receiver authorized by the FCC for sale in the USA (though approval has not yet been granted). When authorization is received, the UniWave Di-Wave will be available from Universal Radio at http://www.universal-radio.com/.(Source: 26MHz.us/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Solar activity was very low. No flares were observed. The visible disk was spotless.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels during 16 - 18 February.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels during most of the period. ACE solar wind velocities decreased from 523 to 282 km/sec during 16 - 18 February as a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS) subsided. Solar wind velocities gradually increased from 282 to 490 km/sec during 19 - 22 February, possibly due to a recurrent HSS. During this period, IMF Bz varied from +08 to -06 nT and IMF Bt ranged from 01 to 10 nT.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity25 February - 23 March 2009

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to increase to high levels during 14 - 18 March. Normal flux levels are expected during the rest of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at predominantly quiet levels during 25 February - 12 March. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to active levels during 13 - 14 March with storm periods possible at high latitudes due to a recurrent CH HSS. Activity is expected to decrease to mostly quiet levels during 15 - 23 March.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Welcome to February 24th, where most places its just Tuesday - but in New Orleans it's Mardi Gras Day, also known as Fat Tuesday. No one does this crazy day of wildness quite like New Orleans. WWL AM 870 will keep you up to date at www.wwl.com/ Check out the craziness also at http://www.nola.com/ and http://www.mardigras.com/ with live Mardi Gras parades, updates and more.

On this special day, here's the latest "bytes" from the world of shortwave radio! Laissez le bon temp rouler !!Gayle Van Horn

All times UTC // parallel frequency *sign-on sign-off*

Adventist World Radio QSLs11780 Adventist World Radio via Wertachtal, Germany. Full data E-QSL received after several attempts. Reply in seven months total for an initial email report to: QSL-Shortwave@media-broadcast.com Veri signer Michael Puetz. (Edward Kusalik, Canada)

All India Radio launches first digital radio transmissionFrom Delhi in shortwave band using DRM Technology on Jan 16 for the following services:9950 GOS-IV 1745-1945 UK and WEST EUROPE9950 HINDI 1945-2045 UK and WEST EUROPE9950 GOS-V 2045-2230 UK and WEST EUROPE6100 VIVIDH BHARATI SERVICE 1430-1730 800 Km. radius (Approx.) (AIR Website via Gupta) (DX Window # 371)

Australian DX Report # 139 available for downloadThe latest episode, No. 139, of the Australian DX Report, a weekly audio news magazine with news and information about shortwave broadcasting, from an Australian perspective, is now available.

The site allows you to listen to the ADXR and other audio features directly (streaming audio) via your MP3 player, or via the site's embedded mini-player. Podcasts, iTunes capability, full RSS/XML/Atom feeds, and free subscriptions are supported - full details are at the site.

The ADXR is compiled from the resources of the Electronic DX Press Radio Monitoring Association.

Your comments and feedback are particularly important!

You can also hear the episodes on-air, via WWCR Nashville, every Sunday at 0300-0315 on 5070 and on Mondays 1245-1300 on 15825. The WWCR release is also available as streaming-audio, live, from http://wwcr.com

Good listening to the Australian DX Report Episode No. 139!Bob Padula,Melbourne

BBC's secret war with with offshore radio stationsThey are now fondly remembered for helping kickstart the swinging Sixties and revolutionising the airwaves forever. But the fear that the arrival of offshore pirate radio stations drove into the broadcasting establishment has only now become clear. Previously unseen documents from the BBC archives disclose how the corporation was so alarmed at the rise of the stations that it launched a secret “dirty tricks” campaign to have them shut down.

Canada's CHU QSLs in four hours7850 CHU E-QSL from reception report replied in four hours."Thank you for the reception report from Deutschland.A QSL card will be sent to you soon."Regards, Raymond Pelletier(DX Window)

Canada's CHU contact address Government of Canada, Frequency and Time Institute for National Measurement Standards National Research Council Canada M-36, Room 1026, 1200 Montreal Road Ottawa, Canada K1A 0R6 Tel: (613) 993-3430 Fax: (613) 952-1394 raymond.pelletier@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca (Friedrich-Walter Adam-D, A-DX Feb 19/BC-DX # 900)China's CRI Newsradio now also on shortwaveMy colleague Ehard Goddijn reports that China’s CRI Newsradio is now broadcasting on shortwave. Noted on 11790 and 9665 kHz at 1300 UTC with English ID and programming in Chinese in parallel with the Internet audio stream. These shortwave frequencies are not listed in ILG/HFCC B08. The station also broadcasts on satellite. Related story: http://blogs.rnw.nl/medianetwork/china-radio-international-launches-new-domestic-fm-channel . (R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Clandestine - Open Radio for North Korea contact addressStation broadcast in Korean on 7390 kHz.Open Radio for North KoreaP.O.Box 158Mapo, Seoul, 121-600Republic of Korea

Clandestine - Free Radio for North Korea feedback7585, Free North Korea, via Uzbekistan. No data thank you letter with history of their station and the movement via email in 64 days for email report in English. Veri signer, Min Jae Oh, mjoh6701@naver.com . Text of letter is below:

"Dear Albert Muick,Thank you so much for your kind and detailed reception report. Please have all our staffs thanks and appreciation!

Free North Korea Radio is a non-profit organization which is consisted of NK defectors and has been devoted for the dissemination of the idea of freedom and democracy to North Koreans who are deprived of basic human rights, and to raise awareness of the North Korean human rights situation in South Korea and the international community.

FNKR started its internet broadcasting toward North Koreans at December, 2003 and now expanded its activity to shortwave radio broadcasting for 5 hours per day. FNK Network is consisted of "Free NK Radio" which delivers democracy and latest news from the world, "NK Information Center" which provides NK related confidential information, "NK defectors Rescue Center" which is committed to rescue the NK defectors from repatriation to NK and "Voice of Freedom Radio" which delivers Gospel to NK people. FNKR will continue to encourage North Korean people to establish for themselves a democratic, sovereign and liberal government. And in order to achieve this historical goal, FNK Network will strive to broadcast more influential, relevant and practical programs and to provide NK's hidden truth as well. Many thanks again. With Best Regards, Min Jae Oh mjoh6701@naver.com ". (Muick, Feb 10/DX Window # 371)

Greenland logging using a Web receiver in the United KingdomGreenland 3815USB, Kalaalit Nunaata Radio 2115-2130. Non stop unrecognizable pop music to 2130. Announcer with five words with separation between each, quite probably a countdown. Musical fanfare signature, then male announcer with presumed news in Kalaallisut(?) or similar Inuit language. Sound very much like Quechua!! 2142 same fanfare as outro, then PSA by woman annnouncer then male announcers, 2143-2144 brief feature intro then male announcer in presumed Kalaallisut. What sounded like another feature from 2145-2154 presented by male announcer. Long pop song with vocals 2154-2159. Then the same canned public service announcement by woman announcer in presumed Kalaallisut. Announcer then heard in English as earlier at 2142 with the English portion sounding like "?? for fighting the ?? people.example.programs ?? open to you. You can enter your.". 2159 countdown by woman again ending with tone denoting top of the hour, then same fanfare and woman announcer with apparent news to at least 2205. Signal poor to fair but clear. Heard on a Bedfordshire, UK Web receiver. (21 Feb.) (Dave Valko, PA/Cumre DX)

Kuwait reactivates 11990Radio Kuwait 11990 (reactivated). English service with Under the Umbrella of Islam program followed by pop music and rap music. Station ID at 1828 ID to frequencies announced as; " 963 kHz, 96.3 MHz and 11990 kHz for Europe and North America." Five plus one time pips at 1830 followed by ID and local time check as "7:30 PM Kuwait local time." Good signal, I checked for this during the week but unheard so not sure when it returned. Nice to have the English service back. (D'Angelo/DX Window # 371)

Myanmar on 5985.775985.77-.81v Myanma Radio. Randomly heard from 1318 to 1531, Feb 20. They have switched back to the transmitter I assume is located at Yagon, as opposed to the usual transmitter at this time from Nay Pyi Taw, which has a steady frequency of 5985.00 kHz. Yesterday after 1500, noted VOR (sounded to be in Turkish), with a much stronger signal than Myanmar, both on 5985.0 kHz. So do they hope for better reception being slightly off-frequency or are they just doing maintenance/repair work at Nay Pyi Taw? Noted a distinct drifting down in frequency. Was in vernacular till English at 1530. (Ron Howard, CA)

New broadcaster aims to awaken the NetherlandsThe Telegraaf Media Groep (TMG), which publishes the populist newspaper De Telegraaf, isplanning to set up its own public broadcasting association. TMG hopes to go on air nextyear under the name Wakker Nederland (Awake Netherlands). Andy Sennitt's feature article http://www.radionetherlands.nl/features/media/090217-telegraaf-broadcasting(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Opposition radio, Voice of Asena also broadcast in ArabicRadio Asena, known as Dimtsi Asena and Sewt Asena in Tigrigna and Arabic respectively, yesterday (Feb 20) aired successfully “the first ever Arabic broadcast to Eritrea by an independent opposition media” [According to Dave Kernick, that claim is not correct - see comments]. With that, Radio Asena has kept its promise and declared its objective of broadcasting to Eritrea in two languages, Mondays and Wednesdays in Tigrigna and Fridays in Arabic [1730-1800 UTC on 9610 kHz].

Dave's comments:Confirmed that this broadcast is brokered by TDP as it’s now appeared on TDP’s website schedule, so presumably it will be via the same 250 kW transmitter in Samara (Russia) as is used for other Eritrean and Ethiopian opposition broadcasts on that frequency.(Source: Eritrea Daily/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Press freedom body to launch new radio stationDave Kernick writes: Radio France International’s [RFI] “African Media” programme on 20 February featured a discussion about the new Eritrean opposition radio Voice of Asena. Concluding the programme, presenter Zeenat Hansrod asked Reporters Sans Frontieres [RSF] representative Leonard Vincent about his organization’s plan for a new radio station:ZH: “Leonard Vincent, I understand that RSF will soon launch a radio station as well?”LV: “Yes, we have a similar project. In fact, we’re going to try to be on Arabsat broadcasting satellite, radio made by journalists in exile.ZH: “Then when will that project take place?”LV: “Well, in the coming weeks, we intend to start broadcasting during, let’s say, in April”TH: “Thank you Leonard Vincent from Reporters Without Borders in Paris”.

Reporters Sans Frontieres, known in English as Reporters Without Borders, is a Paris-based organization campaigning for press freedom.(R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

I am happy to announce that I got a very nice, personal letter in English, confirming my reception of Voice of Asena on 9610 kHz on the 16th of February. The director and founder, Amanuel Eyasu, says that I was the first to send them feedback trough a detailed report. When you say "Asena" to a person it means "that you are happy about something", so I say"Asena" to you all.

Radio Free Asia via Itanawila, Sri Lanka9385 RFA/Iranawila. *1700-1730 Feb 15. Ststion identification as "This is Radio Free Asia..the following program is in Korean". Noted with interviews, English audio clips commentary and a report about Iranian and North Korean relations. (Edward Kusalik-Daysland-Alb-CAN, DXplorer Febr 16/BC-DX #900)

Russia's GTRK on 7320GTRK Magadan; 0220-0300, 7320, Feb 03. Local to regional programming scheduled from 0210 to 0300, on weekdays only; in Russian. Observerd before 0230 phone numbers given and singing jingle. After 0230 many mentions of Magadan, sounded like an interview. Played Russian pop songs and ballads. Programa Radio Rossii at 300. Reception would have been fair except for a moderately strong heterodyne. Have not listened to Magadan in over a month, so assume thisheterodyne is a new development. I asked Mauno Ritola, if he could also hear this heterodyneand asked for his opinion/ comments about it: "I can also hear the heterodyne, actually 600 Hz on both sides. It looks like it is separate from the Magadan transmitter, ..when I switch to another antenna, the strength of the side carriers change independently of Magadan audio and carrier. Hopefully it goes away." (Ron Howard, CA/DX Window # 371)

Solomon Islands on 9545.59541.5 Radio Happy Isles on Feb 22 with best signal heard yet, S 4 level. Signal good enough to detect a strong hum or other transmitter distortion on the frequency - couldn't tune it out by varying frequency. The signal was also good enough for me to record at 6 kHz bandwidth -normally I don't exceed 5 kHz.

From 0849 UT tune, pop music to local commercials. Program announcements by woman in English, a couple of island music selections, more announcements by man/female. Drum interval signal at 0900, followed by English feature program. Drum interval signal again at 0916. After 0908 had some short periods of decreased power when a Chinese language station would dominate (Bruce Churchill, CA/Cumbre DX)Uzbekistan frequency changeSuab Xaa Moo Zoo (Voice of Hope) in Hmong via VTC:2330-0000 new frequency 5890 via tashkent 100 kW 131 degree to Southeast Asia (ex 7115)(R Bulgaria DX Mix news, Ivo Ivanov, via wwdxc BC-DX Top News Feb. 23/ DX Mix News # 561 wb, Germany)

WRTH free update on the internetA reminder to our blog readers:

WRTH is pleased to announce an update file for the Winter (B08) International radio schedules is now available to download from: http://www.wrth.com/ . The file is a pdf file and will require thefree adobe acrobat reader, available from http://www.adobe.com/ . The file is 8 pages long and is approx 51kB in size.

6080, Radio San Gabriel, La Paz (tent.), 1118-1130, Feb 11. "Possibly" HCJB heard with talk from 1108, but at 1118 a second signal faded in with Bolivian type music mixing in with HCJB. At 1122 talk Quechua. Both signals were poor. (Bolland)

Ecuador6050, HCJB, Pifo, 2340-0035, Feb 08 and 12. Spanish talks and ID, chant-like songs with lots of Hallelujah shouts, 0030 time signal and talk in the Cofan language (listed, it is spoken in Ecuador's Napo Province in the northeast part of the country), best in LSB, SINPO 44343. (Bredahl Jorgensen and Ronda)

Back by popular demand, the award-winning Pirate BBC Essex returns to the air this Easter (10-13 April, 2009) for a four-day broadcast. The BBC Essex team will be on board the LV18 which will be moored in Harwich. Legendary DJs Tony Blackburn and Johnnie Walker are just two of the original sixties offshore presenters who will be teaming up with the BBC Essex hosts to celebrate the unique sound of pirate radio.

“In 2007 we told listeners it could be the last time for Pirate BBC Essex,” said BBC Essex Managing Editor Gerald Main. “Ever since, fans from Essex and across the world have been asking us to do it one more time. We’ve been swayed by their wishes and their ship is literally coming in.”

In 2007 and in the first broadcast in 2004, Pirate BBC Essex came from the LV18 half a mile off the Essex coast. This year, the vessel will be moored alongside the Harwich Ha’penny Pier. The vessel’s bridge will be converted into a radio studio from where Pirate BBC Essex will broadcast on 729, 765 and 1530 kHz mediumwave and on bbc.co.uk/essex from 7am (0600 UTC) on 10 April.

“Thousands of sixties pirate radio fans will be able to get within a few feet of the fun and action,” said Pirate BBC Essex creator Steve Scruton. The vessel that hosts the four-day broadcast is a star in its own right as it is featured in the new film The Boat That Rocked, written and directed by Richard Curtis and starring Bill Nighy, Rhys Ifans and Kenneth Branagh.(Source: BBC Norwich Press Office/R Netherlands Media Network Weblog)

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Welcome to our weekly guide to Radio Netherlands Worldwide's English Service - a list of the new programmes coming up on Radio Netherlands Worldwide this week, beginning on Saturday.

SATURDAY 21 February*** The State We're In ***We learn that being a human rights lawyer in China means putting up with a lot: being followed all the time, having your phones bugged, never winning cases and, in the case of Gao Zhisheng, being arrested, tortured or just disappearing altogether.

Also, do we have a right to drugs? What if that drug is cocaine? What if you're a Bolivian cocaine farmer and this is your culture and livelihood. We report. We also meet the woman who took on the British Health service to demand a life-saving cancer drug and won.

And it's just come out that German Railways has been spying on all of its employees for years. After years of Nazi spying, the East German Stasi and West German anti-leftist intelligence work, the country is in an uproar.

A pan-European team links up across the continent every day to provide a fresh perspective on events and life in Europe. If you missed any editions of Network Europe Week satisfy your needs with this digest of the programme's top stories.

This week on Curious Orange, life is a cabaret! But there won't be any scantily clad women or men in top hats dancing across our stage! No, here in Holland, cabaret means something quite different. We'll explain the whole Dutch song and dance, then take you backstage to meet a performer.

Also on the bill, Columnist Perro de Jong with his Critical Eye, and the winner of our Loesje contest! So take a seat and enjoy the show.

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:0400 Africa, Asia0500 North America2200 Asia

*** The State We're In - Midweek Edition ***

We learn that being a human rights lawyer in China means putting up with a lot: being followed all the time, having your phones bugged, never winning cases and, in the case of Gao Zhisheng, being arrested, tortured or just disappearing altogether.

Also, do we have a right to drugs? What if that drug is cocaine? What if you're a Bolivian cocaine farmer and this is your culture and livelihood. We report. We also meet the woman who took on the British Health service to demand a life-saving cancer drug and won.

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:0400 Africa, Asia0500 North America2200 Asia

*** Radio Books ***'The Final Judgement' - by Bart Koubaa

Belgian author Bart Koubaa studied photography and Arabic. He won the Flemish Debut Prize in 2000 for his first novel Fire. He's written a Kafkaesque story for Radio Books. A man has been brought before the court and a jury deliberates his fate. But he is uncertain what crime - if any - he may have committed.

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:0400 Africa, Asia0500 North America2200 Asia

*** Earthbeat ***It's International Polar Year, so Earthbeat tunes in to the latest research coming out of the least hospitable parts of the planet. And we speak via satellite phone to one of the scientists who produces this research and ask what it's like to be stuck on a base in subzero temperatures for months on end with the same group of people and no chance of escape. Antarctica's science and society revealed on this week's Earthbeat.

Broadcast times on WRN UTC:0400 Africa, Asia0500 North America2200 Asia

*** Bridges with Africa ***

We take an in-depth look at Liberia's biggest foreign investment package ever: 2.6 billion dollars from China Union. And we ask 2 questions: Will it improve the living standard of Liberians? And should environmental groups be worried?

From hard cash we move to colorful garments and Africa's longstanding love affair with textiles. Or will cheap imports from Asia cause a break-up?We talk to textile designers and dress makers from Nigeria, Zambia and the Netherlands.

Peru logs4857.43, Radio La Hora, 1115-1125. Signal consisted of steady music with canned ID every once in awhile over the music. The time framewas rather late, so the signal was very poor with deep fades.(Chuck Bolland, FL February 12, 2009)

5039.16, Radio Libertad, 1125-1135. Another late logging, noted music here. It was the traditional Huaynos type of music. Between music, noted a male in Spanish comments. Signal was fading to threshold. (Chuck Bolland, February 12, 2009)

Radio Nacional de Venezuela on 60606060, Radio National de Venezuela via Hava, Cuba. 1138-1145.Tune in while news is being presented in English. This was followed by ID as, "Radio National of Venezuela...". Later a brief sound bite from Chavez and then more English comments from a female. Signal was fair. (Chuck Bolland, Fl February 12, 2009)

4840, All India Radio-Mumbai (p), 0208-0225, Feb 10, music and comments by individuals. Signal faded up and down between poor and poorer. (Bolland)

4880, All India Radio-Lucknow, *0023-0100, Feb 05. Opening procedure, 0030 news in Hindi from New Delhi // 4840, 5010 and 5040, 0035 local program of talks and advertisements to songs on sitar and flute, SINPO 35333. (Petersen). Also heard at 1724-1728, Feb 12, local song, 23332. (Mille)

4900, All India Radio-Guwahati, -1700*, Feb 08. Heard here instead of scheduled 4940. Also noted *0000, Feb 09. They must have switched off transmitter at night and just put on again in the morning without any checking of the frequency. But Feb 09 evening was noted back on the original frequency of 4940. However, again noted on 4900 just now at 1330, Feb 10. (Jacob)Still heard on 4900 and not on 4940, *0000-0020, Feb 11, AIR interval signal, followed by a greeting and the usual hymn. Then an announcement probably in Nepali and local songs. SINPO 44444 with only slight QRM from Mongolia on 4895 and Tibet on 4905. (Petersen) .

4920, All India Radio-Chennai, 0125-0140, Feb 08. Another one of those really weak stations where I cannot make out the language. Can hear a female and a male conversing back and forth while background music is also heard. Signal was poorest. (Bolland). Heard strong 1710, Feb 11, when Tibet seemed off air. (Koie). Chennai mostly broadcast in Tamil. (Ed)

6085, All India Radio-Gangtok (10 kW), sign on just before 0500 till around 0930, Feb 16, covering the budget programs in Parliament. This frequency is used only on rare occasions. (Jacob)

AIR has launched first Digital Radio Transmission from Delhi in SW band by using DRM Technology on Jan 16 for the following services:9950 GOS-IV 1745-1945 UK and WEST EUROPE9950 HINDI 1945-2045 UK and WEST EUROPE9950 GOS-V 2045-2230 UK and WEST EUROPE6100 VIVIDH BHARATI SERVICE 1430-1730 800 Km. radius (Approx.) (AIR Website via Gupta)(DX Window #371)

All India Radio- Chennai (tentative). 0125-0140 Another one of those really weak stations where I can't make out the language. Can hear a female and a male conversing back and forth while background music is also heard. The language is not English or Spanish, so the only other guess would be Hindu at least that's what EIBI says - haven't received my WRTH yet - so I am staying with a tentative AIR on this. Signal was poorest. (Chuck Bolland, February 8,2009)

After an almost 15 year absence on the shortwave dial The Happy Station Show returns this March.

What is Happy Station?

The Happy Station is one the longest running shows ever on shortwave. In March of 1927 when Philips Radio started broadcasts over station PCJJ as a way to reach the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia).

Sometime in 1928 a very young Edward Startz created the Happy Station, he changed PCJJ to PCJ, which he said stood for Peace, Cheer & Joy. The show continued until the start of war. During WW2 the only shortwave done by the Dutch was via the BBC in London broadcasting back to Holland with Radio Orange. After the war around 1946 the Dutch Government founded Radio Nederland Wereldomroep and Edward Startz returned to microphone as presenter of The Happy Station Show. Edward remained with the show for 43 years, way past the legalage to retire in the Netherlands.

In January 1970 Tom Meijer who was working for the Dutch section of Radio Nederland took over as host. This was a major transition. With Tom the show took on a new life and energy. The Tom Meijer era was one of fun, with Tom making you feel that the Sunday broadcasts werebringing all the listeners together for a family gathering. It truly was your Sunday family show of smiles across the miles. Tom Meijer stayed with Happy Station for 21 years until he retired. After he left the show it was first taken over by long time Radio Netherlands announcer/producer Pete Myers and then by Jonathan Groubert. The HappyStation Show was canceled in 1995.

Why return Happy Station?

The Happy Station had and still has a very loyal audience and now the time is right to return with the same message of Peace, Cheer & Joy and Smiles Across The Miles that Edward and Tom brought listeners every week.

What is different?

One of the major changes with the Happy Station today is it won't be a Radio Netherlands production. Instead it will be independently produced and distributed. Radio Netherlands has given permission for the new producer and presenter to use the name Happy Station, as longas it's made clear there is no affiliation with Radio Netherlands.

The new Happy Station host will be Keith Perron a Canadian broadcaster who has been based in Asia for almost 10 years. He has worked as an announcer/producer with CKUT Montreal, Radio Canada International, and Radio Havana Cuba, CHMB Vancouver, China Radio International and has freelanced for Monitor Radio, CBC Radio and others over the last 17years.

The new Happy Station Show won't be produced in Holland, but will be based in Taipei, Taiwan and will be distributed using many different channels and all aspects of technology, new and old to bring the show to the audience. The first will be shortwave on the frequency of 9955 kHz via WRMI (Radio Miami International) for listeners in North and South America. After the shows first transmission on shortwave, it will be uploaded as a podcast so fans of the show not in the target region will be able to tune in. A plan is in place to bring it on shortwave to other regions of the world; this will be announced at a later date. A facebook page has also been set up where listeners can send in pictures and recorded messages, which will be used on the show.

With the revival of The Happy Station Show there will also be a Happy Station youtube channel, where listeners will be able to upload videos from where ever they are in the world. The new host of the show will also present videos and a behind the scenes look at the new show andit's new surrounding.

For listeners who remember the Spanish version of the show La Estación de la Alegría, Keith will at a later date present both editions. At the beginning the show will be bi-weekly, when the Spanish edition comes at a later date, it will rotate with the English Happy Station.

For those who fondly remember Tom Meijer you will also have a chance to hear him again in guest spots as well as some of the songs he recorded at Radio Netherlands over the years. The first edition will be a tribute to Tom and the original Happy Station with contributionsfrom listeners from around the world and some very famous voices from the shortwave dial.

Some Happy Stations shows and extracts are available at the Radio Netherlands Historical Audio Archive, as well as other English language programmes, latest two full Happy Station shows uploaded are Open House Show 4 February 1972, uploaded January 23 and a SeasonsGreetings Programme from December 13 1965 uploaded January 8, click oudere posts at the bottom of the page for earlier uploads:http://blogs.rnw.nl/haa/?s=happy+station(Mike Barraclough, UK/worlddxclub)

RNW: the new international disaster serviceHilversum – When disaster strikes anywhere in the world Radio Netherlands Worldwide will go into action as an international disaster service. RNW will not only report on the events, it will provide a complete information service for any Dutch victims, those in trouble and their relatives. With special broadcasts, a separate website and mobile phone platforms all serving to keep the audience constantly up to date. RNW expects the disaster service to go into operation by spring 2009.

Dutch emigrants, expats and holidaymakers are regularly faced with natural disasters, major accidents, terrorist attacks, political upheavals and social conflicts. Everyone who is faced with these situations, directly or indirectly, wants fast answers to pressing questions: What happened? How could this happen? And then … who is missing? How do I get home? Who has more information? What can I do? Where can I get what I need?

One hour after the first report of a disaster a specially trained RNW team will start answering all those questions via radio, mobile phone, internet and BVN television. The news and information stream will be kept up to date from minute to minute with special broadcasts, a separate website and mobile platforms. For as long as is needed.

Editor-in-chief Rik Rensen explains: “It’s an extra service in addition to our existing programs. The disaster team is RNW’s response to the urgent requests for help and information we received during recent events like the violence in Mumbai and the lengthy airport strike in Bangkok.”(R Baughn, MT)

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit increased to high levels on 15 February.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet levels during 09 - 13 February. Activity increased to active levels during 14 - 15 February with minor to major storm periods detected at high latitudes. ACE solar wind measurements indicated the 14 - 15 February activity was associated with a recurrent coronal hole high-speed stream (CH HSS). The co-rotating interaction region in advance of the CH HSS was detected on 14 February and was associated with increased velocities, increased IMF Bt (maximum 17 nT at 14/0518 UTC, and intermittent periods of enhanced southward IMF Bz (minimum -15 nT at 14/0543 UTC). The HSS commenced early on 14 February and continued through the rest of the period with a peak velocity of 623 km/sec detected at 15/0910 UTC. IMF Bz varied from +04 to -05 nT during the HSS.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity18 February - 16 March 2009

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to increase to high levels during 14 - 16 March. Normal flux levels are expected during the rest of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at quiet levels during 18 - 20 February. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to unsettled levels with isolated active conditions during 21 - 22 February due to a recurrent CH HSS. Activity is expected to decrease to mostly quiet levels during 23 February - 12 March. Activity is expected to increase to quiet to unsettled levels with isolated active conditions during 13 - 14 February due to another CH HSS. Isolated minor to major storm conditions are possible at high latitudes during this period. Activity is expected to decrease to mostly quiet levels during 15 - 16 March as the CH HSS subsides.